The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-31
Written for TAs Arkaasaw TSateler
 THE LOGIC OF EVENTS.
The Philosophy of HistoFy--How the Study of This Branch May Be Made Interesting and Attractive.
BY Ep N. rRIrCHAkn.

Nothing can be more interesting, and at the same time more profitable, to the student than to study the why, 1. e., the philosophical connection in events, let them be contemporaneous or not. Some years ago, when teach ing in the public schools of Indiana, the writer found 1t almost impossible to interest advanced students, young ladies and gentlemen, in study of tho history of our country. And not un- til the method was adopted of studying the philosophy of history did he suc- ceed. "l hate history" "l can't re- member any thing about 1t after have read it." are exclamations too fre- quently heard from both old and young Any subject in which there is lack of interest manifested Is not apt to be either liked or remembered
 Abercrombie, in his "Mental Science" lays 1t down as principle that inter est and attention are the two things on which the possession of retcntive memory must depend. The why of history, of anything, in fact, rarely fails to excite an interest, and with that interest will come attention i; these once aroused, history becomes delightful study; fascinating beyond most other studies, and no longer hated, but loved, because the mind has been directed arlght in seeking for its hidden beauties.
 A striking illustration of the bene- fit and satisfaction which may be de- rived from careful study into the causes of events, may bc found In the last national election. In 1866 Mir. Blaine and Mir. Conkling were both members Of the lower house of con gress, and even at that day were rec ognized leaders in their party. Ii frequently happened. however, that they were pitted against each other in debate, and as each was unfortunately hot headed, the discussions were gen orally permitted to assume too largely the characteristics of a personal quar- rei. As is well known, both men were skilled parliamentarians, excellent de- baters and orators oi the highest or der. In April of the year mentioned these gentlemen were drawn into q discussion over the official conduct of United States Marshal Fry the con- troversy was both protracted and bitter, and ended in war of words, In which Mir. Conkling WAS decidedly worsted. The animosity eDgendercd on that occasion has never ceased to exist between the two men. Prior to that time, they had been rival leaders, but their relations privately had been of the most friendly character. Now, however, they were sworn enemies, and all efforts of mutual friends have failed to heal the breach between them. No one then foresaw or ever dreamed of the consequences likely to arise from that quarrel; but as Is now known, they have been wide and far reaching, affecting not only the poiit- ical fortunes of Blaine and Conkling, but of the great party to which they belong. Blaine was defeated in 1878 at Cincinnati, by Mir. C0nkling, and again by the same influence in 1880 at Chicago. With Garfield's election came the warning factions in the party, headed by the chiefs whose personal and political animosity knew no bounds. As an indirect outgrowth of this, putting 1t in a charitable form, an insane individual was inspired to kill the president, an act that not only unsettled for time the affairs of the nation, but eventually plunged 1t into the utterInost depths of woe and sor- row-sorrow for the dead and for the 1 bereaved ones, and woe and humiliat- ing shame to know that in this fair, free land of ours a crimc 90 black and | fearful could be committed.
 Arthur became president and called | 10 his cabinet, among other good men, one who was known and everywhere honored for his sterling qualities, both as . man and a statesman. A little | later that man became the candidate for governor of the great state of New York. A misapprehension as to his true position led Mr. Blaine and his friends to believe that here was an opportunity to accomplish the defeat of Mr. Folger, and thus wipe out q score long set down to Conkliag. Folger was defeated, and 1t is said his disappointment at this did much to hasten his death. In 1884 Blaine was again candidate, and this time his old adversary saw fit to change his tactics. Instead of opposing BlaiDe's nomination, he kept discrectly silent, and as Nr. Blaine himself now admits, relying too much on ConkIing's sp- parent inactivity, he was again de- ]